Reinforcement applicator



July 29, 1969 J, J. CAHIL I 3,457,815

REINFORCEMENT APPLICA'I'OR INVENIOR JOHN J. CAHILL.

ATTORNEY sure-sensitive tape which is easily attached to the UnitedStates Patent U.S. Cl. 83-140 7 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Adesk-type pressure-sensitive tape applicator and hole punch is disclosedhaving upper and lower handle assemblies with pivotal means therebetweenand a pressuresensitive tape supply removably secured to the upperhandle assembly. Tape advancing, cutting, and hole punch means areprovided within the assemblies such that tape from the tape supply isadvanced and cut along an edge of a sheet during the hole punchingoperation.

This application for U.S. Letters Patent is a continuation-in-part ofapplication Ser. No. 425,327, filed Jan. 13, 1965, and now.U.S. PatentNo. 3,289,509.

This invention relates to a pressure-sensitive reinforcement tapeapplicator. More particularly, the present invention relates to apressure-sensitive reinforcement tape applicator of the type whereinindividual sections of tape may be dispensed, secured and simultaneouslypunched with a hole through both the secured tape and the sheet.

It is often desirable to punch a hole in a sheet and to thereafterreinforce the punched hole with an adhesive eyelet. Such practiceheretofore has been accomplished by manually applying individual eyeletsto each punched hole, resulting in a procedure which is excessively timeconsuming. Accordingly, reinforcement applicators have been developedwherein complicated devices perform such procedures mechanically.However, where complicated devices have been employed, it is known thatthese devices often jam and become inoperable. It has now been found bythe practice of the present invention that an inexpensive hole punch andtape applicator may be prepared which overcomes many of the problemsencountered heretofore in the art.

It is an object of this invention, therefore, to provide a reinforcementapplicator for installing pressure-sensitive tape simultaneously uponpunching a hole in a sheet to which the tape is applied.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a reinforcementapplicator useful and dependable in operation and very simple andeconomical in construction.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a new and noveldesk-type hole-punch which simultaneously applies a reinforcement stripof pressure-sensitive tape and which is easily loaded in an expeditiousmanner.

It is another object of this invention to provide a reinforcementapplicator which is portable and which provides substantially uniformadvancing movement of associated pressure-sensitive tape, and whichsevers the tape from a substantially continuous supply in a positive.and accurate manner.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a removable supplycanister containing reinforcement presreinforcement applicator of thepresent invention.

The reinforcement applicator of the present invention overcomesdisadvantages in complex applicator mechanisms known heretofore byapplication of a portable desktype punch which conveniently advances apredetermined ice length of pressure-sensitive tape over the area of asheet to be punched and simultaneously applies a length of tape to thesheet and punches a hole therein. The reinforcement applicator of thepresent invention is especially provided with a pressure-sensitive tapeadvancing means including cooperative means for severing the advancedlength of tape from a substantially continuous supply removably attachedto the applicator.

When utilizing the present reinforcement applicator, the severalelements thereof specifically cooperate to sequentially advance and cut,at substantially the same length, tape to be applied over an area of asheet to be punched with a hole. The strip of tape is accurately andneatly cut at the proper length from a substantially continuous supply,as the tape is applied with pressure to the sheet which is being punchedwith a hole. The present reinforcement applicator is also provided witha removable tape supply means which is conveniently and quickly reloadedwhen the supply of tape is exhausted, thereby further overcomingdisadvantages in prior apparatus wherein individual eyelets must beloaded into the applicator.

The novel applicator of the present invention includes a lower bodyportion formed of sheet material as an elongated base, and a similarlyformed upper body portion appearing as an elongated head with pivotalconnecting means at a convenient position near one end thereof at aposition joining the lower body portion with the elongated head.

A hole punching means is provided in the body portions of the elongatedhead and elongated base portions and operates upon pivotal movement ofthe elongated head and base portions toward one another. Resilient meansnormally urge the elongated head and base portions apart to normalposition. During the punching operation, tape is advanced by a tapeadvancing means mechanically engaged with at least one of the elongatedmembers and positioned for operation in the opposite elongated member.After the application of tape and the punching of a hole are completedin a sheet, the various elements, excluding the unidirectionallyadvanced tape, return to normal position in preparedness for asubsequent operation.

, Two cooperative members are provided for severing the advanced tapeand for supporting the tape prior to application of a predeterminedlength of tape to a sheet. The length of tape applied to the sheet maybe conveniently regulated simply by regulation of the tape advancingmeans.

Additional objects, advantages and features of this invention residingin the particular construction, combination of elements and arrangementof parts will become more apparent in the following detaileddescription.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view having sections removed indicating theinternal construction of the present applicator;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view, taken substantially on the plane ofline A-A of FIG. 1, and illustrating the forward portions of theapplicator;

FIG. 3 is an elevational view, taken in partial section, of the tapecanister;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view illustrating tape retaining C-railswhich may be included as an element of the tape canister of P16. 3 andas tape guide means near the area of the apparatus where the tape issevered;

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view showing the pressuresensitive tapeadvancing means; and

FIG. 6 illustrates the front elevational view of a sheet having appliedreinforcement tape in place about punched holes.

Referring to the drawings in which like numbers represent like elementsin the several views, FIG. 1 shows desk-type reinforcement applicator innormal position as it may appear, having upper elongated handle assembly12 and lower elongated base handle assembly 14 pivotally mounted abouttraverse extending pin 16. Spring 18 is included between assemblymembers 12 and 14 to retain the members in normal position. The forwardportion of base handle assembly 14 contains pin 20 securing advancingbanana gear 22 held in position by spring 24 for engagement with gear 26of lower advancing roll 28 which roll is secured to the forward portionof upper elongated handle assembly 12 by axle 30. Alternately, bananagear 22 may be permanently secured in operating position to baseassembly 14.

Connected to upper elongated handle assembly 12, forward of loweradvancing roll 28, is mating roll 32. about securing axle 34.Pressure-sensitive tape 36 is advanced on the non-adhesive side aboutguide pin 38, within canister 40, from supply roll 42 about shaft 44.The tape is advanced into operating position by rolls 28 and 32 where itis held in position by C-shaped rails 46 within the canister and bysimilar rails 50 adjacent a punch plunger receiving hole describedhereinafter. Canister 40 is removably secured to upper elongated handleassembly 12 and is supported on platform 52 by any suitable means suchas by friction fit, by clamp or pin-insert means. The canister isdesirably formed of a suitable and inexpensive plastic which may bediscarded after use.

Within upper elongated handle assembly 12, there is provided retainingplate 54, within which surplus receiving chamber 56 receives cut-outsthrough punch plunger receiving hole 58. Surplus receiving chamber 56 ispivotally mounted about chamber pin 60 to provide means for easilyremoving the surplus material accumulated therein as received throughpunch hole 62.

Within base handle assembly 14 there is provided punch 64 below anvilplate 66 supported by spring 68. Tape cut-off blade 70 is convenientlydisposed on base handle assembly 14 to sever the applied tape at anydesirable length. Although blade 70 is illustrated in fixed position, itis recognized that the blade may be mounted on a movable element toregulate the length of the severed tape as desired.

At one end of upper elongated handle assembly 12, there is provided, ifdesired, a suitable pressure pad 72 whereby the members 12 and 14 may beconveniently operated. The pressure pad may be formed of foam rubber,plastic or the like.

FIG. 2 further illustrates the invention and indicates the manner bywhich sheet retaining means 74 limits the extent a sheet to be punchedwill be received in the applicator.

FIG. 3 illustrates a partially broken elevational view of canister 40having enclosing housing 76. Rails 46 located within the canisterusefully guide tape through tape exit port 43, to the tape advancingmechanism of the reinforcement applicator. Rails 46 may either appear asan extending lip 78 of canister 40 or may appear within the body of thecanister in which instance lip 78 may be removed if desired.

FIG. 4 further illustrates the C-rail tape guide 46 which may beemployed within canister 40 of FIG. 3. The tape guide is illustratedwith a connecting surface 80 joining each rail 82 and 84. Alternately,the rails may be secured as individual elements to the side walls of thecanister or may also appear near the front section of the applicator asrails 50 near the tape cut-off area.

FIG. 5 illustrates mating rolls 28 and 32 on axles 30 and 34 centrallydisposed therein. Gear 2-6 on roll 28 is driven by banana gear 22 asillustrated in FIG. 1. The important feature of the present inventionresides, in part, in roll 28 and cooperating roll 32. As shown in FIG.4, roll 28 is embossed and constructed from a suitable ma- .4 terialsuch as those which will not effectively adhere to pressure-sensitivetape. An example of a material for use herein is polyethyleneterephthalate such as that sold under the trademark Mylar by the Du PontCompany. Similar materials such as Du Ponts fluorocarbon plastics,trademarked as Teflon, or the like may also be employed. Embossed roll28 is desirably formed as a concave roll to provide adequate advancingpressure on the tape and is mater with smooth roll 32 desirably formedof a rubbery material such as soft plastic, foam or elastic rubber orsoft, pliable co-polymeric materials such that embossed roll 28adequately grips tape 36 therebetween. Roll 32 may, if desired, bepositioned on a pivotal element to remove the roll from operatingposition and permit initial treading of the tape in the unit.

FIG. 6 illustrates sheet 86 which may be paper, cardboard, thin plasticor the like to which pressure-sensitive tape 36 may adhere as strips 88about punched holes 90.

Although the present invention has been described as a single portabledesk-type unit, it is recognized that two, three or more units may beunited for single operation such that a multiple number of holes may bepunched in a sheet on a single pivot by a multiple number of units. Forexample, three reinforcement applicators may be joined to operatetogether and to punch and reinforce three holes punched simultaneouslyin a sheet. Multiple units may be at fixed distances from each other ormay be constructed to be laterally movable relative to one another asdesired.

It is to be understood that the foregoing detailed description is givenmerely by way of illustration and that many variations may be madetherein without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention.

What is claimed is:

1. A pressure-sensitive tape applicator and hole punch which comprises,an upper elongated handle assembly, a lower elongated base handleassembly, said upper and lower assemblies pivotally mounted near one endthereof, spring means between said upper and lower assemblies,pressure-sensitive tape supply means removably secured to said upperelongated handle assembly, tape advancing means within said upperelongated handle assembly and mechanically operated by gear meanssecured to said lower elongated base handle assembly, an anvil plateenclosing a plunger slidable through said anvil plate and forming lowerhole punch means on said lower handle assembly, a plunger receiving holemounted on said upper handle portion, tape guide means mounted adjacentsaid plunger receiving hole, a tape cutting blade mounted rearwardly ofsaid anvil plate, spring means urging said anvil plate to a normalhorizontal level above said tape cutting blade and said plunger, andsheet stop means disposed adjacent to said tape cutting blade wherebythe tape is out along the edge of a sheet received within theapplicator.

2. The pressure-sensitive tape applicator and hole punch of claim 1wherein said tape guide means mounted adjacent said plunger is C-shapedtape guides.

3. The pressure-sensitive tape applicator and hole punch of claim 1wherein said tape advancing means comprises in combination a firstconcave tape advancing roll and a second tape advancing roll mating withsaid first roll, said second roll formed of soft rubber-type materialand said first roll formed of embossed tape nonadhering material.

4. A pressure-sensitive tape applicator and hole punch which comprises,an upper elongated handle assembly, a lower elongated base handleassembly, said upper and lower assemblies pivotally mounted near one endthereof, spring means between said upper and lower'assemblies,pressure-sensitive tape supply means removably secured to said upperelongated handle assembly, a first convex tape advancing roll, a secondconcave tape advancing roll mating with said first roll, said first rollformed of a soft rubbery material and said second roll formed ofembossed tape non-adhering material, gear means secured to said lowerelongated base handle assembly and mechanically engaging said secondroll, an anvil plate enclosing a plunger slidable through said anvilplate and forming lower hole punch means on said lower elongated basehandle assembly, a plunger receiving hole mounted in said upperelongated handle assembly, a pivotal surplus punch material receivingchamber disposed above said plunger receiving hole in said upperelongated handle assembly, C-rail tape guides mounted on said upperelongated handle assembly for receiving tape between said receiving holeand said plunger, a tape cutting blade mounted rearwardly of said anvilplate, spring means urging said anvil plate to a normal horizontal levelabove said tape cutting blade and said plunger, said sheet stop meansdisposed adjacent said tape cutting blade whereby the tape is cut alongthe edge of a sheet material received within the applicator.

5. A pressure-sensitive tape applicator and hole punch which comprises,an upper elongated handle assembly, a lower elongated handle assembly,said upper and lower handle assemblies having pivotally mounted meanstherebetween and near one end thereof, pressure-sensitivetape supplymeans removably secured to said upper elongated handle assembly, tapeadvancing means within said upper elongated handle assembly andmechanically operated by means secured to said lower elongated handleassembly, hole punch means disposed between said upper and lower handleassemblies opposite said pivotal mounted means, tape guide means mountedadjacent said hole punch means, a tape cutting blade mounted rearwardlyof said hole punch means, and sheet stop means disposed adjacent to saidtape cutting blade whereby the tape is cut along the edge of a sheetreceived within the applicator.

6. The pressure-sensitive tape applicator and hole punch of claim 1having a tape supply canister for use in combination therewith whichcomprises, an enclosing housing, a pressure-sensitive tape roll withinsaid housing, a tape exit port along one surface of said housing, andtape guide rails disposed near said tape exit.

7. The pressure-sensitive tape applicator and hole punch of claim 6wherein the tape exit port is an extending lip from said housing, saidextending lip containing said tape guide rails.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,228,372 1/1941 Stuhlinger156-513 X 2,353,232 7/1944 Greene 156-513 X 2,441,821 5/1948 Kendall156-513 X 3,028,795 4/1962 Hughes 156-530 X 3,226,283 12/1965 Villalon156-522 3,289,509 12/1966 Cahill 83-140 WILLIAM S. LAWSON, PrimaryExaminer US. Cl. X.R.

